“I don't know about that,” I say, letting the words draw out.
The woman waves her hands in front of me. “Oh, please, don't be modest. You're helping out the alpha, and you're doing a lot of supervision. Just because you need help with some things doesn't mean you don't have your work as well. Remember that, okay?”
I slowly nod. “Thank you so much, Molly. You don't know how much you've helped me today.”
She simply shrugs. “What sort of person would I be if I wasn't lending a hand?”
You'd be like most of the people I've met in my life.
Even now, I find it a little difficult to believe that Molly or anyone else has my best interests at heart. Thankfully, they're showing me that it may be okay to give a little trust.
Molly stifles a yawn before looking down. “Sorry the kitchen is so empty. The twins have gone into town to help restock. I told them to get groceries as well.”
“Oh, okay, that makes sense. I was wondering where everyone was.”
“They'll be back pretty late though,” she confesses. “If you're still hungry, please, help yourself to the chicken. Take as much as you like.”
My eyes almost bulge out of my head. “Really?” My mouth begins to water, forcing me to close it tightly and avoid embarrassment. “What about Grant? Definitely, the alpha should eat something.”
Since I met Grant, I've been drawn to him in a way that I'm sure isn't normal. It's like I’m being tugged toward the leader of the pack.
My mind reminds me that he's important and should be followed. Still, it's not an uncontrollable urge, but it's definitely there.
For Grant, I can tell that those he leads follow him fully out of loyalty. His pack doesn’t just follow him because he is the alpha—theywantto.
It wasn't like that in my old pack. The alpha was just that; there was hardly any substance behind it.
“I have a feeling that Grant will be fine,” Molly assures me. “It's not the first time he's gone without eating. I'd be surprised if he actually came down and got something in his belly.” She finishes this with a familiar laugh.
Should I bring some food to him?
I'm not sure what my place is here, but hopefully I’ll figure it out soon. For now, I'm going to try not to overdo things. Molly leaves me alone with the chicken. I feel much less guilty now as I eat, but I still don't finish it all.
“No need to get greedy,” I sigh, placing the rest of the meat in the fridge. It's not a lot, but it's still enough for a good snack. There's a chance I'll come back tomorrow with the chicken still untouched.
I close the fridge door, letting out a satisfied breath and smile, my stomach now content. I stroll around the kitchen, perusing the numerous pots and pans and assorted cutlery.
After my curiosity has been satisfied, I head back upstairs. The day passes, and it's pretty late in the evening, making me wonder what the evening ritual is like in a place like this.
Do these people have dinner? Does everyone eat separately? Can anyone eat at any time—like I did?
I venture to the top of the stairs and stop, turning slowly toward the office. Even from many feet away, I can already hear Grant's voice.
My hearing is sharp enough that I can hear him without having to be so close to him. Still, I inch closer just out of habit. Grant's voice had been inaudible when I came down the stairs. Now, it's so stern, I'm almost too scared to eavesdrop. Almost.
After tiptoeing to the wood, I lightly press my ear against the door. “Can you give me a number?” Grant asks the person on the other end of the call. “How many are we dealing with here?”
What's he talkingabout?
“Okay, I guess that's fine… as far as good news goes. Two hunters are still quite the threat, though. That pack will need a new home after such devastation.”
My eyes widen when I hear him mention hunters. My only encounter with hunters is one I still think about to this day. The hate that they had used to speak to me—like I was no longer worth keeping alive—is what haunts my nightmares.
Even worse than that is the fact that they wanted me to suffer before I died. If they weren't in a hurry, I'm pretty sure they would've waited for me to turn completely so they could torture me.
All I know about hunters comes from the packs I've been with. I can tell that they're extremely dangerous, and even one is a huge threat. Now, it looks like two have driven away an entire pack.
“I don't even know how we can sort this either,” Grant sighs. “Maybe if we—” His voice is cut off by a long yawn.
